Summary of Contents for SubSurface Instruments PL-VF10
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User Manual User Manual Instructions, Functions and Warranty Information SERIES SERIES SERIES Pipe & Cable Locator Variable Frequency Series...
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No part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the SubSurface Instruments, Inc. Please contact SubSurface Instruments, Inc. to request permission for reproduction and use of this manual for training purposes.
Tilted Magnetic Field Identification ...... 21 PL-VF3 Transmitter Controls and Indicators ..08 Locating a Sonde or Camera Head ..... 22 PL-VF10 Transmitter Controls and Indicators ..09 Attaching a Push Device to the Sonde ....22 Direct Connect ........... 10 Locating a Sonde ..........
SubSurface Instruments, Inc. Shall not be liable to Distributor, Re-Seller, or any other person for any incidental, indirect, special, exemplary or consequential damages, or injury of any type whatsoever, and caused directly or indirectly by Products sold or supplied by SubSurface Instruments, Inc..
Modifications: Any modifications made to this equipment not approved by SubSurface Instruments, Inc. may void the authority granted to the user by the FCC to operate this equipment.
By registering your unit online at http://www.ssilocators.com/warranty-registration within one month (30 Days) of purchase, SubSurface Instruments, Inc. will extend the warranty period from 1 year to 4 years. This warranty is void if, after having received the instrument in good condition, it is subjected to abuse, unauthorized alterations or casual repair.
& f hanging reset unCtions odes reQuenCies The PL-VF operating modes, frequencies and other functions are user programmable and can be changed at anytime through a quick selection process in the programming menu. eCeiver To select the programming options for Software verSIonS and Greater •...
pl-vf3 t & i ransmitter ontrols ndiCators Frequency Relative Resistance, Signal Indicators Output Signal Indicator Indicator Voltage, Current Battery Condition Indicator Inactive Port CAUTION Lethal Voltages May Be Present Frequency Selector Tx Output Jack SERIES Power On & Off & Output Signal Level Control TX OUTPUT JACK...
& i ransmitter ontrols ndiCators Li-Ion Battery AC Recharge Port Output Level Indicator Load Rate Indicator Frequency Selector SERIES OUTPUT JACK Tx Output Jack Power On & CAUTION Battery Relative Resistance, Output Signal Condition Indicator Volt, Current Lethal Voltages May Be Present...
ireCt onneCtion CAUTION DO NOT CONNECT TO LIVE OR ENERGIZED POWER CABLES Direct Connection is the most reliable method of signal application. This method is relatively free of interference. The greatest amount of signal strength can be achieved by this method. Low, mid, and high frequency may be used.
nduCtive onneCtion This method is convenient to use, and services are not interrupted. No test cords or connections are needed. The cable or pipe must have good insulation or non-conductive coating, or the operating range will be short. Turn the t on.
eleCting the raCing ignal The choice of frequency is dependent on the conditions of the locate. It is generally accepted that lower frequencies provide a more accurate locate. Therefore it is generally advised to use the lowest frequency that effectively conducts on the target line. Lower frequencies are less likely to bleed onto adjacent non-target lines, but low frequencies are less effective at locating higher-resistant conductors.
pl-vf r & i eCeiver ontrol ndiCators ABSOLUTE SIGNAL STRENGTH LEFT RIGHT GUIDANCE Displays direction to null point of e.m. field. RELATIVE SIGNAL STRENGTH GAIN LEVEL INDICATOR BAR GRAPH OPERATION MODE Displays selected operation DEPTH mode BATTERY LIFE Displays receiver's ANTENNA LOCATE MODE battery life.
emote ontrol eature The Remote control feature enables the user to remotely control the transmitter with the receiver. The frequency and power output of the transmitted signal can be controlled up to 800 meters (874 yards). The PL-VF comes with the remote control feature active on the menu options. If your unit does not have the Remote Control module, the program will not allow the menu to select the option.
oCating odes There is a variety of locating modes available in the PL-VF unit. PEAK, PINPOINT PEAK, NULL LEFT/ RIGHT GUIDANCE, SONDE, DFF & ACC. To toggle through PEAK, PINPOINT PEAK & NULL simple press the mode button. To toggle to SONDE mode hold the MODE button for 5 seconds and release. DFF and ACC modes are only selectable when an appropriate accessory is plugged into the accessory port in the handle of the receiver.
Trace the path by walking away from the t at a moderate pace. Move the r to the ranSmItter eCeIver left and right while walking, following the Peak indications. As you trace the path, the Peak meter reading may slowly fade as you move away from the .
ight ireCtional oCating In this mode the unit will display directional arrows to the conductor. The audio indicator will provide a solid tone on one side of the conductor and a pulsed tone on the opposite side of the conductor. When the unit is centered in the electromagnetic field the tone will null and the depth will briefly display at the top of the LCD.
50/60 h assive oCating The r is capable of locating power utility frequencies. This mode is useful for locating eCeIver underground primary and secondary power utilities. In certain circumstances, this mode will also locate water pipes, sewer lines, cable television, and telephone. The reason is that common electrical grounds are sometimes found among these various utilities.
utton epth The only way to be sure of the depth of a utility is to expose the utility. At any given time, the depth readout may be inaccurate. The pl-vf r can perform digital depth measurement. The depth is displayed at eCeIver the top of the LCD display in centimeters or feet and inches.
45º a epth easurement ngle ethod Move to the location you want to measure depth. Stay at least 15 feet away from the ranSmItter Move the left to right across the path until the cable is located. eCeIver Mark the path on the ground as precisely as possible using the Null method. Place the r on the ground with the LCD meter facing up.
urrent easurement The PL-VF Receiver contains a feature that is very useful in identifying a desired cable in a field of various conductors and/or utilities. It is not unusual for the target conductor (the conductor connected to the Transmitter) to induce a signal into nearby conductors in a crowded field. In these instances, the radiated signal on the conductors close to the surface of the earth, may be stronger than the Transmitter signal on the target conductor buried deep in the ground.
oCating a onde or amera Before you begin, you must choose a Sonde or Camera Head that will match the same frequency as the Receiver. You will need a Sonde with a frequency of 512Hz, 640Hz, 815Hz or 33kHz to use with the PL-VF Locator Receiver.
oCating a onde Hold the r , as shown below. The r antenna directly above and in line with the s eCeIver onde eCeIver sensitivity needs to be adjusted for a meter reading indication between 60% to 80%. is shown below. The PEAK signal is when the r The radiation pattern of the s is held onde...
epth easurement of amera ead or onde Once the Line has been located, the depth can then be found. Refer to the figure below for a reference. Start by moving the r along the path behind the Sonde with the antenna in line with the Sonde eCeIver and find a NULL between the PEAK ghost signals.
& i rame eCeiver ontrols ndiCators Signal Strength pTinal ccessory Displays absolute signal strength from 0 to 99. Directional Arrow Indicates direction of fault. Low Battery Indicator ON/OFF Button Reference Stores and displays starting signal strength when pressed Button ON/OFF Turns the unit on and off.
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a-frame ault oCating With the Fault locating determines the position of an insulated break on an underground conductor. Some signal will return to the Transmitter via the G (Grp) through a break in the insulation. round roBe It is generally a good idea to locate the conductor path before attempting to fault locate. If, during the path locate, an unusual amount of signal loss occurs, a part of the signal has escaped to ground in the last several feet.
a-frame ault oCating With the • Locate path of faulted conductor • Remove power from faulted conductor & disconnect loads and ground from both ends of target conductor and neighboring conductors • With transmitter off connect red lead to the faulted conductor and black lead to independent ground rod placed behind and in line with the conductor path.
aults eneath aved urfaCes A potential problem could exist if a fault should lie beneath a paved surface. In this case, the a-f rame will be used in the dirt at the side of the paved area. Since the return current in the soil begins its return from the fault - like the spokes of a wheel laying on the ground - equal amounts of current will enter the Grp if it is placed on the ground and positioned broadside to the fault.
The SubSurface Instruments, Inc. Model PL-VF was designed for dependable operation without periodic adjustment and/or calibration. If, however, your PL-VF is not working properly, return it to the factory for repair. A RMA (Return Material Authorization) is not required, but there is some necessary information needed to ensure your unit is repaired and returned properly.
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AN INNOVATIVE DESIGN FORCE IN SUBSURFACE DETECTION & LOCATION SubSurface Instruments is an innovating force that engineers, manufactures and distributes high-frequency and magnetic locators, pipe and cable locators, leak detectors, leak correlators, bore hole gradiometers and specialty locators. SSI’s most recent innovation, the AML or All Materials Locator, locates buried PVC pipes, PE Pipes, plastic or nearly any other subsurface object more efficiently than ever before.
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& f hanging reset unCtions odes reQuenCies The PL-VF operating modes, frequencies and other functions are user programmable and can be changed at anytime through a quick selection process in the programming menu. eCeiver To select the programming options for Software verSIonS and Greater •...
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& f hanging reset unCtions odes reQuenCies The PL-VF operating modes, frequencies and other functions are user programmable and can be changed at anytime through a quick selection process in the programming menu. Remove the back cover Remove the Li-Ion tray's screws Lift the Li-Ion tray Un-lock A &...
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